Stainless Steel Bolts

[ThatOneGuy]

Hello everyone,

I am currently trying to find a place in the AISC, ASME, or any other U.S. code that allows me to use stainless steel bolts for connecting members for a building. I am able to find ultimate and yield strengths, but I am unable to find a code, at least in the U.S., that says it is allowable to use stainless steel bolts. Does anyone have any information that may send me the right direction?

I have done some research and have heard ASCE 8-02 may be helpful, but I do not own it or know what it says.

Thank you ahead of time for any information that anyone provides on this topic. Any help is much appreciated.

 

[JStephen]

My thinking:
If there's a specific building code required for the construction, it doesn't matter what any other code might allow or disallow, you're stuck with that one.
If there's no building code applicable to the construction, then there's also no prohibition on stainless bolts; they don't need to be allowed, just not disallowed in that case.
Also see Section 104.10 in IBC 2012; I assume there are similar provisions in other codes.
Stainless bolts can have issues with galling, with dissimilar metal corrosion, and might have ratios of yield to tensile that are a lot different from that assumed for carbon steels.
There's not any ASME "building" code, but note that the boiler and pressure vessel code allows stainless bolts for flanges, etc.

 

[ThatOneGuy]

Thanks for the response. You said what my thoughts were as well. There's nothing in the code allowing it or disallowing it. I was really just wondering whether or not there is anything that I missed when looking through the code.

Also, I meant to say ASTM instead of ASME. Sorry about that confusion.

 

[MacGruber22]

Also, check out AISC Design Guide 27: Structural Stainless Steel

"It is imperative Cunth doesn't get his hands on those codes."

 

[ThatOneGuy]

Thanks. I don't have that either so I might have to do some investing.

 

[ThatOneGuy]

I checked it out and it was very helpful. Thanks for bringing my attention to that design guide.